Baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine

ABSTRACT

A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine comprises an upper trapezoidal-shaped plate having a bore. A bracket is connected to the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate. A support arm is attached to the bracket. A motor is seated inside the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate. An orbital is attached to and powered by the motor. A lower trapezoidal-shaped plate has rubber grommets and a bottom surface. The lower trapezoidal-shaped plate is attached to the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate. An adhesive scrubbing pad is peripherally attached to the baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine and an aggressive scrubbing pad is attached to the bottom surface of the lower trapezoidal-shaped plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] This invention relates generally to janitorial floor and baseboard cleaning machines and, more particularly, to a baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine.

[0006] Cleaning personnel encounter significant floor scrubbing problems in and around walls and room corners. Traditional floor cleaning devices do not allow for operation in these areas or in other confined space locations, such as behind toilets, because machine orientation does not allow for the necessary mobility mandated to adequately clean all floor areas. Cleaning personnel often complain of bumping their shoulders, hips, legs, or arms into walls during cleaning. Cleaning personnel, therefore, are forced to either scrub these areas by hand or to ignore these areas, thus creating unaesthetic views and potential health problems. Likewise, baseboards are generally scrubbed by hand, potentially leading to significant back and knee problems as cleaning personnel must bend over or crawl on the floor to clean these areas. Because of this, it is desirous to find a baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine.

[0007] 2. Related Art

[0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,371,912 and 5,381,578, issued to Hall and Armbruster, respectively, attempt to develop machines to assist cleaning personnel in cleaning floors and baseboards. Each machine, however, fails to allow adequate operator orientation because each uses rectangular pads, thus making it difficult for cleaning personnel to use the machine near walls and confined areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is in view of the above problems that the present invention was developed. Generally, a baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine comprises an upper trapezoidal-shaped plate having a bore. A bracket is connected to the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate. A support arm is attached to the bracket. A motor is seated inside the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate and an orbital is attached to and powered by the motor. A lower trapezoidal-shaped plate has rubber grommets and a bottom surface. The lower trapezoidal-shaped plate is attached to the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate. An adhesive scrubbing pad is peripherally attached to the baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine and an aggressive scrubbing pad is attached to the bottom surface of the lower trapezoidal-shaped plate. Both the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate and lower trapezoidal-shaped plate allow cleaning personnel to use the machine without bumping a shoulder, hip, leg, or arm into a wall.

[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a typical baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine;

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine; and

[0014]FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of scrubbing pads used with the baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine. Reference character 20 generally indicates an apparatus of the present invention. An upper trapezoidal-shaped plate 22 has a bore 24 extending through it. The bore 24 is shown to be circular, but any shape suitable for machine operation is sufficient. A bracket 26 is connected to the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate 22 by bolts, glue, weld, or any suitable connection.

[0016] A support arm 28, which may be telescopic, is attached to the bracket 26 by an adjustable bolt 27. The adjustable bolt 27 allows cleaning personnel to raise and lower the support arm 28 from vertical to horizontal positions, and all positions in between, relative to the floor. This allows cleaning personnel to operate the machine 20 under sinks and other low height barriers, thus improving overall cleanliness and potentially avoiding serious and costly knee, neck, and back injuries.

[0017] The support arm 28, when telescopic, allows cleaning personnel to shorten or lengthen the support arm. This is very advantageous as it allows for the machine 20 to be used on stairwells in addition to floors and baseboards. By actuating the support arm 28 telescopically, cleaning personnel are able to stand on higher elevation stairs and use the machine 20 to clean lower elevation stairs.

[0018] A motor 30 is seated inside the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate 22. The motor 30 is shown to be cylindrical so that it fits within the bore 24, but it is envisioned that the motor may have any shape, provided that it adequately allows for machine 20 operations. The motor 30 is envisioned to be electric, but it is conceivable that it may also be fuel-powered.

[0019] An orbital 32 is attached to the motor 30. The motor 30 powers the orbital 32, which moves off-center or eccentrically relative to the motor. A lower trapezoidal-shaped plate has rubber grommets 36. The lower trapezoidal-shaped plate 34 is attached to the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate 22 by bolts 38. The rubber grommets 36 act as spacers between the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate 22 and lower trapezoidal-shaped plate 34.

[0020] The baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine 20 begins operating after cleaning personnel turn on the machine by supplying power and starting the motor 30. The orbital 32 causes the sides and bottom of the baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine 20 to agitate. The agitation of the baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine 20 provides the necessary movement and power to strip dirt, grime, and sludge away from floor and baseboard surfaces. Cleaning time depends on the amount of dirt, grime, and sludge on floor and baseboard surfaces. More cleaning time is required on the filthiest surfaces and less time on less soiled surfaces.

[0021] As shown, the upper trapezoidal-shaped plate 22 and lower trapezoidal-shaped plate 34 are angled on two sides. The angled sides each have an obtuse angle 42 and an acute angle 44. The obtuse and acute angles allow cleaning personnel to stand a comfortable distance away from walls while using the machine 20. The distance is dependant on the length of the support arm 28 and its orientation, but it is envisioned to be approximately three to 6 feet from walls. Thus, the obtuse and acute angles allow cleaning personal to use the baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine 20 without personal body parts touching walls, thereby avoiding potential injury and allowing complete cleaning of corners and areas near walls.

[0022] An adhesive scrubbing pad 40, rectangular in shape, is peripherally attached, typically with hook and loop fasteners, to the baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine 20. The adhesive scrubbing pad 40 envelopes the baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine 20 on three sides. The adhesive scrubbing pad 40 may have different coarsenesses, depending on the baseboard to be cleaned. For instance, a rugged tile baseboard will require a stronger pad for cleaning while a marble or delicate baseboard will require a less scratchy or finer-graded pad. Varying grade pads are shown on FIG. 3.

[0023] A fine grade pad 46 would be employed on delicate surfaces. A medium grade pad 48 would be employed on semi-rugged surfaces. Likewise, for rugged and tough surfaces, a course grade pad 50 may be used. Finally, an aggressive scrubbing pad 52 may be used on heavily-soiled areas or on the toughest surfaces. The aggressive scrubbing pad 52, attached to the lower trapezoidal-shaped plate 34, is trapezoidal-shaped to accommodate the lower trapezoidal-shaped plate. It is envisioned, however, that the aggressive scrubbing pad 52 might also be used in place of the adhesive scrubbing pad 40 if cleaning circumstances necessitate it. Thus, different areas, industrial or home floors and baseboards, may be cleaned with different pads.

[0024] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained.

[0025] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0026] As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine comprising: an upper trapezoidal-shaped plate having a bore; a bracket connected to said upper trapezoidal-shaped plate; a support arm attached to said bracket; a motor seated inside said upper trapezoidal-shaped plate; an orbital attached to and powered by said motor; and a lower trapezoidal-shaped plate having rubber grommets and a bottom surface, said lower trapezoidal-shaped plate being attached to said upper trapezoidal-shaped plate.
 2. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 1, further comprising; an adhesive scrubbing pad peripherally attached to said baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine.
 3. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 1, further comprising; a brush scrubbing pad attached to the bottom surface of said lower trapezoidal-shaped plate.
 4. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein said support arm is telescopic in motion.
 5. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein said support arm is attached to said bracket by a releasable bolt.
 6. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 1 whereby said lower trapezoidal-shaped plate is attached to said upper trapezoidal-shaped plate with bolts.
 7. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 1 whereby said motor is electric.
 8. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein said orbital moves off-center relative to said motor.
 9. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine comprising: an upper trapezoidal-shaped plate having a bore and one obtuse angle; a bracket connected to said upper trapezoidal-shaped plate; a support arm attached to said bracket; a motor seated inside said upper trapezoidal-shaped plate; an orbital attached to and powered by said motor; and a lower trapezoidal-shaped plate having one obtuse angle and rubber grommets and a bottom surface, with said lower trapezoidal-shaped plate attached to said upper trapezoidal-shaped plate;
 10. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 9, further comprising: an adhesive scrubbing pad peripherally attached to said baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine.
 11. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 9, further comprising: an aggressive scrubbing pad attached to the bottom surface of said lower trapezoidal-shaped plate.
 12. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 10 wherein said adhesive scrubbing pad is attached to said baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine by hook and loop fasteners.
 13. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 12 whereby said adhesive scrubbing pad is rectangular.
 14. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 11 whereby said aggressive scrubbing pad may be a brush pad.
 15. A baseboard corner and edge cleaning machine according to claim 14 wherein said aggressive scrubbing pad is trapezoidal. 